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Skewed WTO Reforms Proposal Need To Retain S&DT Provisions For Developing World, says Goyal
The Covid-19 Pandemic has exposed the inability of the world to promptly respond to any crisis, whether on food security or health, economic well-being or open supply chains, said Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday.
Representing India at the 12th ministerial conference of the WTO in Geneva, he raised concerns about the “skewed” WTO reforms proposal, the imperative need to retain the special and differential treatment (S&DT) provisions for the developing world, global inequities in Covid vaccination and Public Stockholding of foodgrains.
Goyal said the current proposals for WTO Reform could fundamentally change its institutional architecture, skewing the system against the interests of developing countries.
We need to move ahead preserving the core principles of consensus and ensuring S&DT, with people and development being at the core of WTO’s future agenda, said Goyal.
“Friends, those who question the need for S&DT provisions are aware that the per capita GDP of the developed countries is 20 to 50 times that of the developing countries. Even India is at the lower end of the per capita GDP supporting 1.4 billion people. I believe the developing world aspires to work for a better future. Is it humane, fair or even equitable that the developing world takes the same obligations as the developed nations,” he added.
To rebuild trust and credibility, Goyal said, we must first address mandated issues, like the permanent solution to public stockholding agreed nearly a decade ago.
On climate issues, Goyal proposed we need to adopt environmentally-conscious lifestyles, more sustainable lifestyles, based on the 3Ps of "Pro Planet People ''.
“The WTO needs to rebuild trust. It is time to demonstrate goodness, concern for people and more sensitivity to the poor and vulnerable sections of society in the spirit of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam ', which we believe in India as the world is one family," he said.
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